A sci-fi term used to lampoon the massed ranks of Gove’s critics

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As a lover of erudite literature, it is perhaps odd that Michael Gove has turned to cult science fiction for a metaphor to characterise his critics. “The Blob”, his term for opponents of his school reforms, was the title of a 1958 movie that launched the acting career of Steve McQueen.

Part horror, part sci-fi, it tells the story of an amoeba-like invader threatening small-town America. A teenage McQueen discovers the Blob but townsfolk don’t believe him until it’s almost too late.

Like the youthful screen star, Mr Gove has been sounding the alarm about the Blob. In his case